No One Left Behind

Turning 50 has done something to me.

I am breaking out of the shell I have found myself in over the last couple of years.

The outgoing me kind of disappeared. I was POA for my grandma for over 5 years and didn't realize how much I was "on" 24/7.

Till she died Feb 16, 2025. Then it was like I had permission to pause.

The 3 days I got off work, I was running around town from one end to the other helping my uncle get everything together.

Once those days were done, it was like I was hit over the head with just how much I had been doing. Full-time job, 3 shows a week for my podcast, taking care of my family at home, and answering phone calls from the nursing home any time, day or night, for someone else's care.

I stopped, paused, and let go of partnerships I had been in.

For a month after she died, the only thing I did was go to work and come home. I was exhausted.

The thought of taking care of anyone else made my skin crawl. I kept this to myself for a long time, thinking that made me selfish.

Most of my life, I had been taking care of someone else; then I was in charge of someone's life, and at the same time, I was watching my dad die before my eyes.

It was a lot, and I had started hiding. I didn't want to really talk to anyone; I didn't want to take care of anyone. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone.

So I thought if I just didn't put myself out there, then no one would want anything from me.

I still did the interviews with people; I love hearing people's stories, but still some part of me was hiding.

There was something about turning 50 that made me realize that the handcuffs I had put on myself were coming off.

The woman who had always put everything before herself was now learning that she mattered, too.

There were things I had done in my life in the last 5 years that I never thought I would ever dream of doing.

I had been waking up a side of me I never thought possible, but a part of me still remained hidden.

January of this year I thought you are 6 months away from turning 50. What does that mean to you?

And I realized that, yes, I had done a lot, but there is still more to do.

That this is the time that I am focusing on me, what I need. What I desire, what makes me happy.

Music makes me happy; interviewing people makes me happy; spending time with the ones I love makes me happy; reading makes me happy; writing makes me happy.

So just before my birthday last week, 2 things happened.

One, the second song I wrote, completely written this time, was released on HearTheHopeHeroes.org, and two, the second article I wrote for B.A.N.A Magazine came out.

I am done hiding. Some people may not like everything I have to say or do, and I have learned that is OK.

The days of not doing what I love are behind me.

5 years ago, I had a mission statement that meant no one would be left behind.

What I didn't realize was that included me.

In the last 5 years, it has been incredible. I am humbled to have interviewed some of the top badass men and women around the world.

And I wrote the song No One Left Behind because it represents the badass women I have interviewed who have served our country, as well as the women who have served at home, and who may not have been themselves lately. We have all gone through a war no one wants to talk about, but we are not leaving anyone behind to deal with it on their own.

To hear the song, click here: No One Left Behind – Hear The Hope Heroes.

To listen to the whole song, you will have to make a donation, but that donation ensures a veteran gets to write their song.

And if you have ever had your weight be the diagnosis for everything that ails you, please read the article in B.A.N.A Magazine. Click here to get your copy of the magazine, BANA Be Yourself Magazine - BANA - Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association.

We are stronger together! If my story resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. If you have a story you would love to share with the world, please email me at grahamdorothy408@gmial.com.

I can't wait to hear from you.

With love and gratitude,

Dorothy